To share is to gain, to teach is to learn
Introducing the GAVO framework on my quest to inspire and motivate tomorrow's movers, shakers and shapers.
I had previously shared my pivot from Marketing Maven to Educator and what my motivations are,
My goal is to transition from shaping brands to shaping the next generation of leaders, thinkers, and innovators. By sharing real-world insights, cross-cultural perspectives, and expertise in global markets, I aim to bridge the gap between theory and practice.
As the new semester approaches, I have been working on crafting my own personal ‘lecturer brand’ so I can deliver my classes with greater impact and relevance to my students.
I believe that wrapping the content around my personal brand identity would enable me to create engaging seminars with them, hopefully enabling them to learn the content better. I often recall teachers I have crossed paths with and the most significant memory of them was how you could feel their passion and expertise on the subject wrapped around something unique about them.
My Teaching Philosophy
As an educator, my mission is to equip students with the skills and mindset needed to excel in a fast-evolving world. Drawing from my extensive experience at NIKE, adidas, lululemon, and ANTA, I emphasise the significance of cultural intelligence, digital marketing, and strategic thinking. Through storytelling, problem-solving, and fostering human connections, I help students bridge theory and practice, building creativity, confidence, and adaptability to carve their own paths.
I see marketing as a tool for change and innovation, where creating value is central. To me, marketing means being relevant, meaningful, and attracting people through authentic storytelling. In my teaching, I stress the importance of contributing meaningfully and cultivating a personal brand that aligns with one’s values.
I integrate my GAVO framework—Gratitude, Amor Fati, Value, and One Thing at a Time—to encourage students to embrace challenges, focus on the present, and think critically. This framework helps build resilience, focus, and personal growth, guiding students to live their potential and create lasting, positive impacts in their respective fields.
My Clients - My Target Student Profile
The Trailblazer – a student profile for modern times. In an era where technology puts knowledge at our fingertips, this is the moment for action—action that empowers you to forge new paths and define your own journey. Now, more than ever, it is vital to establish your unique voice and identity, one that reflects your individual DNA, strengths, and experiences.
Rather than mimicking others, it’s about cultivating an identity that sets you apart, allowing you to create value that is distinctly yours. By finding your own voice, you earn a rightful place at the table, contributing meaningfully and securing your spot on any team.
Especially in a world where AI accelerates learning and access to knowledge, what truly distinguishes you is your personal brand. This unique proposition allows you to offer value only you can bring, shaping your own success and influence in ways that resonate with who you truly are.
Ultimately, I aim to shape the next generation of leaders and innovators who are prepared to navigate complex global markets with confidence and purpose, while staying grounded in authenticity and strategic insight.
At Temasek Poly, our mission is to shape “Tomorrow’s movers and shakers’. Here is how we define them and the skills we outline that are essential in being an effective mover and shaker.
By aligning my personal teaching philosophy with the school, synergies can be created to ensure that my students enter the workforce ready to move, shake and shape wherever they end up at.
These principles are derived from my personal journey leaving my comfort zone in Singapore venturing to China, spending 14 years learning, and growing in a myriad of opportunities and situations. I have distilled some of my life principles into the acronym GAVO.
What is the GAVO framework?
Before delving into the subject modules I want to share, it’s crucial to address a framework that fosters a strong learning mindset.
G.A.V.O. has been essential for me in navigating complex, fast-paced environments, such as the Chinese market, despite my initial language barriers and limited experience with multicultural teams.
The G.A.V.O. framework is more than just a set of concepts; it represents a way of living. It equips individuals with essential mindsets, values, and principles needed to navigate today’s fast-paced world while staying true to purpose and authenticity. By applying these practices and skills, one can create lasting value, build meaningful relationships, and live a fulfilling life. This framework reflects the core tools and techniques I’ve used throughout my career to successfully bridge the gap between theory and practical application.
G = GRATITTUDE
Gratitude is the cornerstone of a fulfilling life. As philosopher Cicero once said, “Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues but the parent of all others.” By practicing gratitude, we cultivate a mindset that acknowledges the good in our lives, which enhances our overall well-being. In leadership and teamwork, gratitude helps us appreciate the contributions of others, fostering a positive and productive environment.
Humility - “Humility is not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less.”
Humility is the recognition that we are always learning and that others have knowledge to offer. This attitude is essential in today’s collaborative workplaces, allowing for open-mindedness, continuous growth, and healthy professional relationships.
Kindness - “It doesn’t matter if the glass is half empty or half full. Be grateful you have a glass, and then pour that gratitude into helping others.”
Kindness is a powerful tool for building meaningful connections. Kindness, both in personal interactions and professional dealings, creates trust and fosters a culture where people feel valued and understood, leading to stronger teams and more effective outcomes.
Collaborative - ”If you want to run fast, run alone, if you want to run far, run together. “
Collaboration is key in a world where diversity of thought and expertise leads to innovation. In embracing a collaborative spirit, we unlock the power of collective intelligence, allowing for creativity, problem-solving, and deeper connections.
A = AMORE FATI
This Stoic principle, championed by the philosopher Nietzsche, encourages us to “not merely bear what is necessary, but love it.” Amor Fati reminds us to embrace life’s challenges and obstacles, seeing them as opportunities for growth. By adopting this mindset, we develop resilience and courage, essential traits for success in both life and work.
Trust the Process - “Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.”
Patience and trust in the process are fundamental to long-term success. Trusting the process means understanding that progress takes time and that perseverance through difficulties is essential. It’s about being brave, curious, and adaptable in the face of uncertainty, knowing that each step brings us closer to our goals.
The obstacle is the way - “The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way.”
Obstacles are not to be avoided but embraced, as they provide lessons and opportunities for growth. Facing challenges head-on builds resilience, problem-solving skills, and the ability to thrive under pressure.
V = VALUE
Creating value is central to both personal fulfilment and professional success. “Your value will be not what you know; it will be what you share,” By contributing meaningfully and sharing our unique skills and perspectives, we earn our place on the team and make a positive impact on those around us.
Think Creatively, Critically, Globally
In a globalised world, thinking beyond our immediate context is essential. Critical thinking allows us to solve complex problems, while creativity inspires innovation. By applying a global lens, we expand our perspectives and adapt to the diverse environments in which we operate.
Live Your Potential
Living your potential means fully utilising your talents and abilities, contributing your best self to the world. By doing so, you not only enrich your own life but inspire and uplift those around you.
O = ONE THING AT A TIME
Focus is a superpower in a world full of distractions. Being present and focusing on the task at hand allows for deeper engagement and more effective outcomes.
Be Present - “Realize deeply that the present moment is all you have. Make the Now the primary focus of your life.”
Living in the moment unlocks the magic of life. When we focus on the present, we maximize our potential and create more meaningful experiences in both work and life. When we are fully present, we unlock creativity, clarity, and connection, enabling us to tap into our highest potential.
Focus on the Issue at Hand
Focusing on the issue at hand allows us to cut through the noise and address what truly matters, enabling clarity, effective problem-solving, and a sense of accomplishment, paving the way for both personal and collective success.
G. = Gratitude
A. = Amore Fati
V. = Value
O. = One thing at a time
With the above context and setting, I hope to use it as an overlay to give the content that I will teach more flavour, and then use it to catapult further subject modules that create tomorrow’s movers and shakers who can in turn shape their own futures
The next step of my learning journey to be an effective lecturer is to learn how to facilitate learning experiences for my learners, working together in crafting problems that can uncover valuable nuggets of wisdom.
From there, I move to crafting new subject modules and lesson plans, hoping to distill and extract all of my experiences to share to all who are intent on adopting the G.A.V.O framework
Checking out.